Tamper-proof key drive gets Level 3 validation

GCN tested several hard drives from Apricorn over the years. Most of them not only come with internal security but also a keypad so that users can set up two-factor authentication using only the device itself and a password.

One of the most portable drives in the Apricorn family is the Aegis Secure Key. It’s a thumb drive with various flash disk sizes. And yes, even though it’s tiny, it has a numeric keypad lock like the rest of the Apricorn lineup. What it also has, starting now, is FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation.

The Aegis Secure Key’s FIPS validation covers multiple layers of data protection, including military grade AES CBC 256-bit hardware encryption, an alphanumeric keypad to prevent software key logging, a seven- to 15-digit PIN code and a software-free design that’s cross-platform compatible with no administrator rights required. In addition, the Level 3 certification is based on the fact that the drive is tamper resistant. An epoxy resin destroys the circuit board’s components if someone tries to pry their way inside.

Finally, if a password is entered incorrectly 10 times, the drive will completely erase its contents.

The FIPS 140-2 Level 3 validation means that Apricorn’s Aegis Secure Key has passed rigorous testing, performed by a certified third-party laboratory, conforming to the Cryptographic Algorithm Validation Program and the Cryptographic Module Validation Program. The Aegis Secure Key’s FIPS 140-2 validation has been listed by the US National Institute of Standards and Technology (NIST) under certification 1876.

Prices for the Secure Key range from $65 for a 4G version to $170 for 32G.